February 2015 Newsletter 
 

Hannaford Health Hero 2015

  Congratulations to Sheila Fazakerly for being selected as a Hannaford Health Hero last month. Community Friends staff nominated Sheila, to recognize her for all that she has done for the program and the community in the last few years. Just to mention a few of the fantastic ways Sheila gives to the community: She is an active member on our Advisory Board, she has mentored her young friend Nicky for over four years, and she recruited her own good friend to become a mentor to Nicky's brother.   Hannaford Supermarkets has a strong tradition of supporting deserving and worthwhile community organizations and we are grateful for the generous donation of $500.00 to our program on behalf of Sheila. Thank you Sheila for all your time in the community helping to make a difference in the lives of those around you!                             

Pizza Party & Open Gym Night!
  
  
   On Thursday, February 26th, we're having a fun pizza party & open gym night here at the Baird Gym! Come on out from 5:30-7pm with your mentee to eat & play with us as well as have some fun with other pairs. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to [email protected] so I can make sure we have plenty of pizza for you! Catherine and I sincerely hope to see you there!

What? Having fun with my mentee is tax deductible?!!

        

   It's true. While we are clearly not tax specialists in this program, we do know that some of the things you do with your mentee throughout the year can be written off on your tax returns as charitable donations. This can include cash donations, some of your mileage, tickets to events for your mentee, and various other things. According to our friends at Hettena Wright, and Horton, CPA's. P.C. you must keep good records of your expenses and always check with the professionals for the details on this.

 

~ Mentoring Quotes ~

"Mentoring is the cultivation of young adults, the tender caring for and nurturing of them so that they will grow, flourish, and be fruitful."

- Jeff Myers, Cultivate: Forming the Emerging Generation through Life-on-Life Mentoring

 

"The mentors in my life, inspired me to fulfill my highest potential."

- Lailah Gifty Akita

 

"Leadership: Converting dreams into goals and goals into success."

- T Jay Taylor

Save The Date: ECHO Event

 

   On Thursday, March 11th, the Chittenden County Mentoring Network will be hosting their mentoring celebration at the ECHO Center. Mentoring pairs from across Chittenden County are invited to come for an evening of yummy food, fun, & celebration for free! Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming event!

Save The Date: Curling Challenge

 

   This year, the Howard Center's Curling Challenge will take place on Saturday, March 14th at Cairns Arena.

   Howard Center's Curling Challenge is a full day event consisting of 32 teams with four members each. Teams will have two hours of scheduled ice time, including one hour of instruction from members of the Green Mountain Curling Club prior to their designated game time. The Club provides all of the equipment needed including brooms, stones, and sliders to wear over your own sneakers.

   Registration for this year's event opened this past Thursday 1/29, and all folks interested in signing up can register at www.howardcenter.org. If you would like to find out more information, you can also contact Martie Majoros at [email protected].

February Match Anniversaries

A couple of CFM pairs are celebrating match anniversaries this February.

Congratulations to the following pairs!

 

 Mark & Mathew, 1 year

Allison & Hannah, 3 years

Upcoming Activities

Essex- "Free Community Soup & Bread Supper." On the first Thursday of the month, the Covenant Community Church serves a free soup & bread supper, either eat in or take out. Choose from a variety of hearty soups & breads & a sweet dessert. Stay & eat with friends & family, or pick up to take home. All ages. 1 Whitcomb Meadows Lane off Route 15 across from John Leo's. Thursday, February 5th from 4:30-7pm. Free. (802) 879-4313.

 

Colchester- "Winter Carnival." The Colchester Parks and Recreation Department and the Winter Carnival Committee invite you to the Annual Colchester Winter Carnival. Come on out to the carnival & visit with your friends, family & neighbors. Make sure to make your way to this fun-filled family event and celebrate winter with your community! Dress in layers and plan to spend the day at the Colchester High School on Saturday. A variety of indoor and outdoor programs to choose from, great performances and hands-on activities are planned throughout the day. All ages. 131 Laker Lane. Saturday, February 7th & Sunday, February 8th from 8:30am-6pm. $6. (802) 264-5640.

 

Milton- "Winter Festival." Join community members of all ages for this annual winter celebration the weekend of February 13th-15th! The ever-popular Friday night "Party in the Park" features laser tag, ice skating, snow shoeing, bonfire, hot cocoa, light refreshments and a spectacular fireworks display! On Saturday, the fun continues with a community celebrity breakfast including games provided by the Big Blue Trunk, then a guided snowshoe excursion, sledding, plus two different dance parties that evening. On Sunday, head back in Bombardier Park with sleigh rides, sled dogs, ice skating, snow games & Milton Public Library's chili cook-off! All ages. Bombardier Park. Friday, February 13th-Sunday, February 15th from 8:30am-7pm. Free. (802) 893-4922.

 

Burlington- "Wintervale." Weather permitting, enjoy three miles of XC Ski trails in Burlington's invtervale! Free ski & snowshoe rentals for the whole family, thanks to Burlington Parks & Rec, Skirack, and Winooski Valley Park District. There will also be kids activities & games, delicious food & drink for purchase, lessons & demonstrations, and learn how to identify trees in winter on nature walks with the Intervale Conservation Nursery. All ages. 282 Intervale Road. Sunday, February 15th from 10am-2pm. Free. (802) 658-3313.

 

Burlington- "Kids Eat Free @ South End Kitchen." Thursday is family night! That means that for each adult meal purchased you get one free kids meal. South End Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have a kids menu available during lunch and dinner. They also make local, small batch, ice cream which is served all day. 716 Pine Street. Thursdays until 9pm. Up to age 12 for free children's meal. (802) 864-0505.

 

Hinesburg- "Kids Night Out @ The Clubhouse." One Friday per month, The Clubhouse has a Kids Night Out event that includes a pizza dinner. To sign up, contact Tricia at (802) 482-5986 or by email @
[email protected]
  Ages 4-12. 96 Pond Road. Friday, February 20th from 5:30-8pm. $12 per child.

 

Burlington- "Exploring Tropical Fruits @ City Market." Brighten up a cold winter morning by exploring the tropics through your taste buds! Bring your kiddo in to taste & create dishes from tropical fruits such as bananas, pineapple, coconut, mango, citrus & kiwi. We will create several yummy and healthy dishes with these fruits, such as dairy & sugar free banana coconut pudding, a tropical salad with citrus dressing, fried plantains, & more! Children must be accompanied by an adult. When registering, please select a ticket for each child attending. 82 South Winooski Avenue. Sunday, February 22nd from 9:30am-10:30am. Member: $5, Nonmembers $10. Accompanying adults are free and do not need a ticket. Register online @ www.citymarket.coop or (802) 861-9757.

 

Colchester"Snowshoe Walk @ Colchester Pond." Learn how to read the signs of wildlife in our region on a 3.5 mile snowshoe tour of Colchester Pond. The WVPD will provide snowshoes for those who need them. Walk will begin at 10:00am. Registration required.
All ages. Colchester Pond Road. Sunday, February 22nd from 10am-5pm. Free. (802) 863-5744.

 

Essex- "Winter Carnival." 

Join them for a fun day filled with music, story telling, snow sculptures, snowshoe & X-country ski demonstrations, great food, refreshments, & so much more. Start planning your soup recipes for their first ever Soup Cook-Off! Enjoy this wonderful day with your family in celebration of winter. Co-produced by Essex Junction Recreation and Parks and Essex Parks and Recreation. All ages. Essex Middle School. Saturday, February 28th from 10am-3pm. Free! Please help by providing food to the local food pantry and bring a non-perishable food item.

 

Essex- "Need Haircut or Other Salon Services?" Want to have some spa time with your mentee? Did you know that the Center for Technology in Essex offers free haircuts on Thursdays? What a nice way to help out the community! They also have salon services for manicures and up-dos as well as a variety of other things. Call them for appointments if you need a haircut or other services, they are all supervised by instructors! 2 Educational Drive #200. (802) 879-5558.

 

UPDATES
As always in an emergency you should call 911 or our First Call service at 488-7777.
How to Reach Us 

Howard Center - Child, Youth and Family Services

1138 Pine St.

Burlington, VT 05401

 

Catherine Shahan

Program Coordinator

(802) 488-6650

[email protected] 

   

Whitney Keefner

AmeriCorps VISTA

(802) 488-6651

[email protected]

 

  

 

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